Bangladesh has never secured a final conviction for extortion despite multiple statutes criminalizing the practice, with arrested suspects typically walking free due to witness shortages and flawed investigations. Authorities filed 273 metropolitan cases last year and detained 46 people, yet none reached a judicial conclusion.
Research groups estimate 128 daily shakedown incidents in the capital alone, far exceeding official tallies, as most targets avoid reporting out of fear. Analysts attribute enforcement failures to political patronage networks that shield offenders serving as party enforcers.
Specialists argue legislative frameworks remain ineffective without dismantling protection systems linking criminals to ruling factions. Penalties span up to 14 years under the Penal Code, with additional sanctions through the Special Powers Act and transport regulations, but prosecution collapses when witnesses refuse testimony and certain rackets gain social normalization.
Research groups estimate 128 daily shakedown incidents in the capital alone, far exceeding official tallies, as most targets avoid reporting out of fear. Analysts attribute enforcement failures to political patronage networks that shield offenders serving as party enforcers.
Specialists argue legislative frameworks remain ineffective without dismantling protection systems linking criminals to ruling factions. Penalties span up to 14 years under the Penal Code, with additional sanctions through the Special Powers Act and transport regulations, but prosecution collapses when witnesses refuse testimony and certain rackets gain social normalization.
